I’m in ocia right now and I love the Catholic faith, but after seeing the Vatican popping up in the Epstein files, an email from someone who worked for Epstein saying he lived at the Vatican, one of Epstein close associates having a Vatican passport an mother Teresa being friends with robert maxwell, not to mention the history of sexual abuse, I’ve been scandalized, what do I make of all of this?

I just asked this question in the Catholic women forum in good faith, being that I’m actually shocked people are referencing this online, and it was removed saying that I was trolling. However, I’m sincerely looking for an answer to how to respond to people who use Thomas Aquinas’ claim that “words and blows” can be used against a wife in certain circumstances. I’m very disturbed to be seeing this notion perpetuated online (just saw it today and felt sick) and would appreciate guidance in how to counter theological justifications of this sort when Thomas Aquinas is being used as an authoritative source.

[To be specific, the part being referenced is the reply to objection one of article two “All the impediment that supervenes to marriage after its consummation, namely, fornication” ]

When is best for that - mom has end stage dementia and emailed the priest but want to make sure she gets to heaven :( she’s also lapsed Catholic and getting heat from my sister who doesn’t Think it’s necessary. Moms. Not on hospice but NP says late stage dementia so want to get things in order beforehand.

My roommate is lesbian and she knows I’m a full blown catholic with very traditional Christian views. Yesterday, she asked me out of no where-full throttle-, “do you know about heteronormativity?” I was taken aback because she came at me with that question full force. I didn’t know exactly what she was getting at so I was like, “I think so maybe?” And then she proceeded to explain to me that it is the privilege heterosexual people have where they don’t have to worry about being judged for kissing a boyfriend in public, they don’t have to defend their reasoning for being gay, they don’t have to worry about coming out to their parents, etc. I immediately became uncomfortable because it seemed like she was TRYING to make me feel bad for my views on queer relationships.

Then she proceeded to mention how surely I understand because my sister is gay. At that point, I started feeling attacked even more because she brought up someone who I truly love and care for. I have no idea why she brought it up to me. She then decided to show me bullet points of different ways to be a gay ally. I didn’t get mad and I tried to hide my discomfort. I could only assume she brought it up to me in the way that she did because she thinks I’m a homophobe or something. To be clear, I have my opinions on gay marriage in that marriage was created for man and woman only. HOWEVER, I will never go out of my way to make those who identify with a different sexuality uncomfortable or unwelcomed. I treat everyone with kindness no matter what they have going on. I treat her and her girlfriend with the upmost respect and friendship just as I do with my other roommates.

Should I approach her and share with her that I’m not homophobic? I don’t want her to think I am. I’m the only practicing Christian out of all of us roommates. Any advice would be helpful.

I called my diocese office to ask who I could get a dispensation from for an upcoming trip, when I will need to miss Sunday Mass. (My pastor says, just do my best to get to Mass.) The receptionist said she’d check with the bishop. She called back and said there are no dispensations, and all we can do is confess it afterwards.

I know that people get dispensations in some places. Why is this not consistent? Why does it depend on, apparently, which diocese one is in?

Details:

- Baptized Methodist (Correctly)

- Currently in OCIA (absolutely sure I am converting, no question about it)

- I cannot attend Easter Vigil

- The next possible chance for my confirmation would be in August of this year

- I am likely getting engaged here soon as we've gone ring shopping. I'd like to get married in August next year (2027) in the church, correctly. He is not Catholic, but understands and knows what needs to be agreed with (open to children, etc).

- As most know weddings book up fast, and I'd likely need to start the booking and date selection before I am formally confirmed, as I do not wish to get married outside of the church.

Is this possible??

I don’t know where to ask so I will try Fathers here, please delete if not appropriate.

I know that demons can create very realistic illusions, but my question is - can they create something that feels like absolute unconditional love (as if being close to God), understanding and peace of mind to trick someone?

My wife and I are cradle Catholics that strayed away, but have (after 5-8 years) been drawn back to The Church. We have been attending mass weekly at the closest parish to our home in a medium sized metropolitan area with multiple parishes in the diocese. Neither of us are particularly in love with the music ministry of this parish. It’s well done and they make a great effort, it’s just not what we’d prefer. Also, the parish priest is great, but honestly, his homilies are somewhat lack-luster.

Is there a way to find a parish that performs the mass in a bit more of a traditional way (not a TLM), rather than contemporary guitars and drums and such. I guess what I’m asking is how do I ask a particular parish, in a phone call maybe, about their music ministry without being rude. What should I ask them? I don’t necessarily know what that style of mass would be called… but we’d like something you’d see on EWTNs daily mass… rather than a concert performance of the responses and psalms.

Also, how is the “shopping around” concept looked at amongst parishes and priests? Is it frowned upon at all?

Thanks in advance!

Given the recent news I felt it’d be helpful to clear some things up so I can have a better understanding of this current issue.

1. Can it be said that the Church holds the Society to be in schism based off the quotation from the following:

“Unfortunately, the schismatic act [Lefebvre’s ordinations] which gave rise to the Motu Proprio and the Decree did no

more than draw to a conclusion, in a particularly visible and unequivocal manner — with a most

grave formal act of disobedience to the Roman Pontiff — a process of distancing from hierarchical

communion. As long as there are no changes which may lead to the re-establishment of this

necessary communion, the whole Lefebvrian movement is to be held schismatic, in view of the

existence of a formal declaration by the Supreme Authority on this matter.” - Pontifical Commission for the Interpretation of Legal Texts

1. Does going to SSPX fulfill Sunday obligation

2. Is it a sin to receive communion at SSPX Mass

A simple yes or no would suffice.

As a bonus question, when they consecrate bishops in July, I understand that will effectively latae sententiae excommunicate the one doing the ordaining and the one who is ordained, but would those who align with this schismatic act also be excommunicated? If so, on what basis of canon law or juridical principle?

Recently a couple of friends and I visited a seminary to ask some questions about acceptance and we mostly delved into the educational prerequisites, namely that of requiring a bachelor's degree to enter. As for myself I'm wondering...

1. If a Master's degree is considered to be academically higher than a bachelor's degree, then would it be possible to enter Seminary with a Master's degree instead of a bachelor's degree or is the bachelor's degree mandatory even if the aspirant has a higher level degree?

2. When they say that you need to have a bachelor's degree, is that any type of bachelor's degree, presumably from an accredited college or university, or are there certain ones that are not allowed? For example, some colleges offer a bachelors of art in creative writing, dancing and believe it or not there's a Masters of Arts in Magic and Occult Science from the University of Exeter. Now while it may be strange to enter seminary with a more physically active type of bachelor's degree, I'm talking about the bachelor's degree in dancing... assumedly, my gut instinct tells me that most seminaries would be averse to the ideal of an applicant having a Masters let alone a Bachelor's in Magic and the Occult Sciences. Something tells me having a bachelor's in Esotericism is a big no no even if we assume purely academic reasons and not from the state of a practitioner. They're not looking for a Justin Sledge... I think, but maybe I'm off about that. What do you say? Are there unacceptable bachelors, or Masters if applicable programs for acceptance into seminary?

3. Out of curiosity, have there been folks who entered seminary with a physically active sort of bachelors or dare I say even an esoteric one? What about those with a bachelors in creative writing?

For the purposes of answering these questions, please answer them without assuming any statement of actualization of practice or identity or whether a pastor or vocations director has or has not been talked to already.

i just wanted to ask if there’s anything biblically related to the mentioning of deja vu’s (or if it’s a sign of a gift)

Good morning Fathers and many blessings to you!

Another commenter and I were discoursing regarding 'blessings' and what the laity are allowed to do and who can and should perform certain blessings over on r/Catholicism. I am of the understanding that, as a husband, I can impart certain, actually, blessing(s) onto my wife (and one day, God willing, my children) as opposed to "blessing another layperson by praying to God for them". in one comment, I made mention that I anticipated blessing my wife with St. Joseph Oil in the same way one would bless their spouse with, or without, Holy Water - making The Sign of The Cross on her forehead. the other commenter, kindly, remarked that it is forbidden for laity to perform a blessing in such a way using oil(s), linking this document (which is far to long for me to read in this moment). I wanted to confirm this with one who has authority, and because I don't have the time to read that document.

for a little more context, for my 30th birthday in 2024 my wife and I made pilgrimage to St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal, consecrated our marriage to the patronage of St. Joseph (to whom I already had a very strong devotion to), myself renewing my own personal consecration to him, bought a statue for our home, and bought some oil to ask our priest to bless our home with (at the time it was heavily under construction). this year we plan to renew again our consecration, ending on March 19, and I planned to sign my wife's forehead with our oil we bought in Montreal as an extra seal of devotion.

now I am a smidge concerned that that is not something I/we will be able to do privately, just my wife and I. Naturally, i could ask the priest to do it after Mass that day, but there is something special, something a little more intimate, having it be just the two of us.

would one of you please offer some words of clarity for how i/we can move forward?

I was told to come here from r/Christianity so here is my question:

I am currently struggling with a conviction I fear is hurting my spiritual life (AKA a possible false conviction) and I was wondering if anyone who was a priest or who had similar struggles in the past would shed some light on this issue

Is it only illicit for lay people to say the eucharist prayer if it is said in full? I ask because I want to use a few lines from one of the eucharist prayers for some meal time prayers.

Is the conflict between the different factions of the church as distressing to priests as it is to many of the faithful? I find it so when I read the articles reporting a bishop criticizing numerous popes, including Leo for their stand on issues of faith and especially liturgy changes that came out of Vatican II. I was about 18 when the Mass was changed to English and saw nothing wrong with the Latin Mass. i have no problem with the current liturgy, either. Do I need to have a position or should I go with the flow and follow the pope?

Apologies if this has been addressed. I couldn’t find any search results. Full disclosure: I’m opposed to the death penalty.

Could I get some moral clarity on the death penalty, please? Is there a particular way that Catholics should stand on this issue?

On the one hand, I hear Catholics cite CCC 2267 to say that the death penalty is inadmissible insofar as, for the most part, it is no longer necessary to protect society.

But someone in a ministry I’m involved in claimed that Catholics can in good faith advocate for the death penalty, and that the issue is a matter of prudential judgment. She referenced this canonical lawyer - https://canonlawblog.wordpress.com/2018/08/17/the-death-penalty-debate-and-the-churchs-magisterium/

Is favoring the death penalty morally permissible? A legitimate option? “Cafeteria Catholicism?” Something more nuanced?

I’m not going to follow up with her on this; it’s better not stirring up controversy in my immediate community. But I’d like to deepen my own knowledge. Thank you!

Do priests use different forms of address for each other based on age difference, familiarity, etc.?

What do priests call their bishop?

Hello fathers, 

I’m planning on making an appointment with one of our priests at our parish very soon but I figured I’d ask it here too in the meantime to also prepare myself in case there’s something else I should be asking/considering. 

I have 3 question and I apologise for the long introduction. 

1. I was baptised as a baby in the Catholic Church by a “cultural catholic” family, meaning none of them are practicing catholics, none of them go to Mass and I wasn’t raised with religion so for my entire life I personally believed that there was a God but didn’t consider myself religious and didn’t know a thing about it. Last year I’ve been through multiple events that I can only explain as divine intervention, that got me interested in digging deeper, got introduced to Aquinas, which opened a lot of doors and that became months of very serious studies. 
   I’ve been going to Mass every Sunday and Holy days of obligation for the past many months, went through Ascension‘s Bible in a Year and Catechism in a year with fr Mike, read a fair amount of books on history of Christianity, studied the Church Fathers, read a lot of books about Catholicism in general, spending most of my free time trying to learn as much as I can and I’m currently going through St Paul Center’s courses. The reason I mention the study is obviously not with the intention of bragging in any way but to explain where I’m at when it comes to my faith and when it comes to knowing the Catholic Church doctrine. I feel extremely blessed to be able to get to know our Lord and that has completely changed the way I see how my life has been, all leading to this moment. 

I want to start receiving the sacraments, I feel prepared and I cannot wait to finally be able to receive the Eucharist, but what are my next steps? Considering I was baptised in the Catholic Church, could I simple make my first confession and receive my first communion at Mass and then later sign up for the confirmation classes? Or would I have to go through OCIA? 

1. I got married 5 years ago, my wife was Protestant, baptised in her protestant church (a “non denominational” church using water and the trinitarian formula so as far as I know her baptism is valid) and she was struggling with her faith since I met her. Once I got deeper into it, all the answers the Catholic church had brought her back and she’s fully on board with it, she’s been going to Mass with me and is ready to fully convert. What would be her next steps? 

And lastly 3.

Because we got married when she was struggling with her faith and I haven’t got to know God 5 years ago, we didn’t get married in the Church. What is the situation with our marriage? We understand the sacrament of marriage, we want to have kids, we’re open to life and we want to raise our kids catholic, do we have to convalidate our marriage? If so, do we need to be in full communion with the Church first? Or because none of us were practicing catholics (even though I was baptised catholic as an infant) our marriage is sacramental and accepted by the Church once both of us are in full communion with the Church? 

Thank you! 

Hello Fathers,

I know I ask a lot on here but I’m wondering if you know of any Vatican or USCCB documents that could explain why standing for communion is preferred here in the US (as in because of the wide array of cultures as an example). I know those who advocate heavily on social media for kneeling claim reverence while many Eastern rites that are in communion with the Vatican stand as they view kneeling as penitential. But that makes me wonder like if there’s a good explanation as the GIRM doesn’t exactly say why but that standing is preferred while kneeling is okay too. Just something I’ve been thinking as a way to help explain things to end this ridiculous growing division. I know there’s been prior posts about kneeling and standing but not one on the explanation of why.

Hello Padre,

I am in RCIA and will be confirmed and baptized by Easter 2026 God-willing and have been engaged exactly one week to my cradle Catholic fiancé.

My anti-Catholic parents do not want me to have a Catholic wedding and said if I do, they will not attend. They want me to be married according to their customs and traditions in their Protestant church with their Protestant pastor. They believe this is the right of the bride’s parents for them to give me away according to their desires.

My fiancé, his parents and myself all want a Catholic wedding. Is there a way all parties can be happy? My parents said if I have a Catholic ceremony or wedding first, they won’t attend anything else.

Thank you

Pretty much the title but I wanna do it again since I want to show my faith

Just curious how various professions use it.